Viewing page 6 of 274

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Memorandum of a Contract, Made this 1st day of January
1862 between The undersigned freedmen, David Smith, Geo Lewis, Henry Lewis, Josephine Lewis, Robinson Lewis, Mathew Lewis, Sam Lewis, Bose Sturdivant, S. S. Stoddart, Wm Hazel, Wm Schill, Martha Ballaam, Georgianna Edbridge, Alice Murphy, Francis Ware, Mahala Lambert, Bolin Lewis, Caroline Lewis, Edwd. Lewis, Mary Lewis, Doctor Stalen, Thos Edwards, Marshall Brown, Christian Brown, Caroline Brown, Granison Brown, Mary No. 1, Mary No. 2, Adam Tucker, Elijah Hearse, Elijah Bryant, Wm. Bryant, Sarah Adams, Sergeaunt Lewis, Thos Winston, Susan WInston, Rosetta Winston, Mathew Winston, Robt Winston, Wm Winston, Enoch Smith, Moses Smith, Geo Smith, Patsy Smith, Sarah Sturdivant, Matilda Lewis, Susan Edwards, Lucy Brown, Francis Ware, Mary Lewis, A P. Lambert, Harriet Winston, Thos Thurston, Harrison Brown, Freeman, Mary Smith, Elijah Smith, Wm. Smith, Hinton Haff, Green Bell, Thos Brown, Margaret Boon, Henry Smigly, Thos Taylor, Wm Feathertine, Stephen Woodson, Jordan Robinson, Harrison Robinson, Nyas Robinson, Stephen Edwards, Thos Griffin, Moses Griffin, Wesley Griffin, Simon Griffin, Dick Tupper, Martha Tupper, Mary Edwards, James Boon, Geo Thomas, Nancy Robinson, Jno Reynolds, Clara Reynolds, Lewis Edwards, Dick Conway, Ann Taylor, Archy Alexander, Cath[erine?] Bethea, Lucy Bethea,   J L Price, Julia Price, Hillan Price, Mary Jane Price, Beverly Yancy, Geo Goodwyn.

LABORERS AND FREEDMEN, of the first part, and R.M.ROBERTSON, the second part, WITNESSETH, That the said parties of the first part have this day hired themselves to the said ROBERTSON, until the first day of January, 1868, to cultivate any plantation to which he may be interested in Mississippi or Louisiana. They bind themselves to obey all orders given by the said ROBERTSON, Agent or Foreman.
   The party of the second part in consideration of the performance of the labor, as, aforesaid binds himself to furnish the said laborers with transportation to the said plantation: also, with comfortable quarters and fuel for themselves and their families, and one half pound of Pork or Bacon per day, and one peck of Meal per week, to each laborer, male and female. Also, Whiskey and Tobacco, when required, and occasional rations of Flour, and a large vegetable Garden, on each place.  I bind myself to give them, in addition, one-fourth of the gross crops of corn and cotton raised by them on the said plantation.
  All property lost, injured, destroyed, or stolen on said plantation, by said laborers, or by any other person with their knowledge and consent, is to be charged against their share of the crop.  They are to be charged with each time as they may lose by sickness or otherwise, and with their board during such time.  Any laborer who may refuse to work, or comply with any of the terms of this contract, when able to do so, forfeits his or her proportionate share of the crop up to each time, and the same shall revert to the said ROBERTSON.
  The part of the second part further agrees to furnish transportation to said plantation, and rations during the year 1867, to the families of said laborers, charging them with the actual cost to him of said transportation and rations.
  These and other advances made by the said ROBERTSON or Agent to the said Laborers are to be deducted from their share of the crop in the settlement at the end of the year 1867.  Schools, religious worship and instruction shall be encouraged by every practicable means.
  Signed in duplicate at Uniontown this 1st day of January 1867
    David X Smith his mark
    Geo. X Lewis his mark
    Henry X Lewis his mark
    Josephine X Lewis her mark
    Robinson X Lewis his mark
    Mathew X Lewis his mark